Chinese New Year celebrations are underway at Shanghai Disneyland. As previously announced, Gary the snake from “Zootopia 2” is prominently featured for the Year of the Snake.

Gary the Snake & Chinse New Year Decorations

Brightly colored cartoon-style snake illustration named "Gary" on a decorative panel, flanked by lanterns and greenery.

Gary the snake has temporarily replaced Kaa from “The Jungle Book” in the Garden of Twelve Friends. The Gary mural is in the center of a red wall placed in front of the Kaa mosaic. Mickey lanterns and bonsai trees surround the mural.

Shanghai Disney Resort has completely changed one of the mosaics before but it seems the Kaa mosaic will be uncovered after the Spring Festival is over.

Disney revealed Gary, voiced by Academy Award-winner Ke Huy Quan, during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event last summer. A video teasing the celebration provides us with our first look at Gary’s animation.

Colorful floral display of Mickey Mouse in front of a building with a clock tower and spires, surrounded by neatly trimmed bushes and vintage lanterns under a clear blue sky.
Colorful display featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse statues with vibrant patterns and knot designs, set in a garden with a castle in the background.
Colorful decorations with orange lanterns and cherry blossoms hang from a pole, celebrating the "Year of the Snake" in an outdoor festive setting.

Shanghai Disneyland is also adorned with lanterns, snake decorations, and more.

Zootopia Lucky Year

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Decorative sign shaped like fox ears with flowers, featuring text "Head Into a Lucky Year," reminiscent of Zootopia 2 vibes, in front of a blurred outdoor setting.
A sign featuring pink rabbit ears and floral designs reads "Head Into a Lucky Year" with the "Hong Kong Police" logo, resembling a delightful scene straight out of Zootopia 2, where perhaps Gary himself might celebrate amidst Chinese characters.
Plush animal toys in traditional festive attire are arranged on a red mat, evoking a scene straight out of Zootopia 2. Nearby, a decorative scroll and peach blossom branch complete the charming ensemble.
A colorful display of "Zootopia" themed red envelopes and decorations, featuring cartoon animals, including Gary from Zootopia 2. The vibrant designs are set against a blurred backdrop with flowers on the left.

“Zootopia Lucky Year” is a new celebration in the Zootopia land of Shanghai Disneyland. Residents of Zootopia are putting their own spin on the traditional festivities. Guests will see lanterns in various shapes and sizes – elephants, rabbits, gazelles – and stickers on the windows and doors of Zootopia with animal-based New Year puns.

Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde have jazzed up their looks with crimson scarves. The new 2025 Spring Festival Zootopia Collection features keychains, New Year red packets, and other accessories.

Characters & Entertainment

Disney characters in colorful costumes pose on a theme park street lined with trees and buildings.

Entertainment includes the “Spring Festival Drum Ceremony” and “Mickey Avenue Shanghai Swing.” “The Adventure of Rhythm” has also returned to the Storyhouse Stage after a limited-time run in the summer of 2024.

Nighttime spectacular “Spring Festival Celebration: ‘Our Families’” will return from January 28 through February 12. It will feature brand-new year of the snake touches including a special appearance by Gary from “Zootopia 2” in the projections.

Characters in festive Asian-themed costumes pose in front of a garden with red decorations and lanterns.
Costumed characters in a festive outdoor setting with red lanterns and greenery. Some hold musical instruments. The scene suggests a celebration or performance.

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are dressed up in festive red outfits emblazoned with dragon and phoenix elements believed to bring prosperity, and snake elements on their shoes to represent this year’s zodiac animal. More friends are also dressed in their New Year best with auspicious elements.

Duffy has a gourd pattern on his chest symbolizing fortune and wealth, while the rest of his friends are wearing clothes decorated with lucky elements like fishes, persimmons, and butterflies.

Four characters in festive outfits stand in front of a cottage.

Over in the Hundred Acre Wood, Winnie the Pooh and his friends are embracing gold and red tones in their outfits too, switching their regular accessories for ones with a distinctive New Year feel.

Food & Beverage

Platter with grilled fish, sausages, roasted chicken wings, corn, buns, and festive decorations, including a chocolate dessert with a cartoon character design.
Afternoon tea setup with a pink chocolate fountain, a three-tiered tray of desserts and fruit, a teapot with cups, and two whipped cream-topped drinks on a red tablecloth.

Chinese New Year offerings include Spring Festival family set menus, themed brunch at the Royal Banquet Hall, and casual bites with festive touches. Highlights include the Mickey-shaped chocolate pieces decorating select treats at CookieAnn Bakery Café and the monthly-exclusive ice cream flavors at Donald’s Dine ‘n Delights.

Souvenirs

A festive "Duffy and Friends" merchandise item is displayed on a red background with decorative elements and popcorn.
A decorative red gourd with floral designs and a small character inside. A red tassel and branch with blossoms are in the background.

The celebration’s new souvenirs are the gourd-shaped CookieAnn Hot Cup and a Duffy and Friends Popcorn Bucket depicting scenes of the friends celebrating the Spring Festival in their new outfits.

Merchandise

Disney characters in traditional Chinese attire celebrating with lanterns and a cherry blossom backdrop.
A red phone case and mug with cartoon designs on a glittery gold surface. Decorative gold ingots are placed around them.

The 2025 Spring Festival Mickey and Friends Collection includes red items decorated with Mickey, Minnie, and their friends in traditional Chinese outfits. There is also a special 2025 Spring Festival Goofy Collection featuring Goofy dressed as the God of Fortune.

Person wearing a light yellow outfit, carrying a brown backpack with a plush animal in a hat on the back pocket, indoors with decorative lighting.
Plush toys in colorful outfits are arranged in a warmly lit room with paper lanterns, an open door, and a snowy sunset view.

The 2025 Spring Festival Duffy and Friends Collection features character-themed headwear and a Duffy backpack. The keychains of all seven friends dressed in their new snake outfits are part of the 2025 Duffy and Friends Snake Zodiac Collection.

Plush characters in festive attire play in the snow with fireworks and lanterns in the background.
Person holding a plush bag resembling a bear's head with a festive red and white design.

The 2025 Spring Festival Winnie the Pooh and Friends Collection features the Pooh bear and friends wearing their lucky snake caps.

Shanghai Disney Resort will once again offer Spring Festival Lucky Bags filled with exciting offerings.

Shanghai Disneyland is celebrating the Spring Festival from January 15 through February 14, 2025.

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The post FIRST LOOK at Chinese New Year Celebrations Featuring Gary the Snake at Shanghai Disneyland appeared first on WDW News Today.

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